Little Ground Squirrel
Spermophilus pygmaeus
The little ground squirrel or little souslik is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_ground_squirrel
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Sciuridae
Genus
Spermophilus
Little Ground Squirrel belongs to the family Sciuridae, order Rodentia, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
The little ground squirrel or little souslik is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.
The Little Ground Squirrel faces severe population declines primarily due to extensive habitat loss from agricultural conversion and urban development across its steppe range. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns and vegetation composition in its already fragmented habitat, while increased grazing pressure and infrastructure development further reduce available suitable areas.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
The little ground squirrel inhabits steppes and semi-deserts in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, ranging from Ukraine and European Russia east as far as the Aral Sea (Kazakhstan) and Dagestan (Russia). It is found at altitudes of up to 500 metres. The range of the species has been reduced over the last 20 years, probably as a result of climate change with more wet weather and wet years in the...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Little Ground Squirrel faces severe population declines primarily due to extensive habitat loss from agricultural conversion and urban development across its steppe range. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns and vegetation composition in its already fragmented habitat, while increased grazing pressure and infrastructure development further reduce available suitable areas.
Agricultural conversion of steppe habitat
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Habitat fragmentation
Urban and infrastructure development
Overgrazing by livestock
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Little Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus pygmaeus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/little-ground-squirrel